Environmental group to honor Lugar at forum

One of Indiana's largest environmental groups is honoring outgoing U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar for his work on environmental and conservation issues.

The Hoosier Environmental Council will award Lugar its inaugural Statesman Award during its Saturday legislative forum. The meeting is expected to attract 250 people to the University of Indianapolis.

A Lugar staffer will collect the award for the 80-year-old Lugar, who leaves office in January after six terms.

The Indianapolis-based environmental group hasn't agreed with all of Lugar's environmental policy views. But Executive Director Jesse Kharbanda says the Republican senator has been farsighted on a wide range of issues including land conservation, energy efficiency, cleaner cars and climate change.

Kharbanda says Lugar's influence has boosted the U.S. economy and preserved natural resources.

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